Plastics Europe

Europe struggles to remain competitive amid US shale gas onslaught / Industry organisations call on EU to help / Oxford study analyses chances and risks

EC withdraws Circular Economy plans to increase recycling levels / Package to be replaced with more ambitious legislation

Part 4 – Regulations: Regulatory moves keep the industry on its toes again in 2014 / Restrictions on plastic bags dominate the discussion / BPA and phthalates still a topic / Flame retardant issues still smoulder / Recycling guidelines make headway

Part 3 – Packaging: M&A activity in the plastics packaging sector continues / Global competition changes the landscape / La Seda bankruptcy sale almost wrapped up / Coca Cola's sustainability drive hits a snag

Part 2 – Plastics Production: Shale gas revolution drives Europe into a corner / Ailing facilities are consolidated / Massive changes in PVC market / Shale oil reserves change the balance once again

Part 1 – Overview: European plastics industry ploughs on / High energy costs and bag bans still an issue / Realities of shale revolution start knocking on Brussels' doors

PIE speaks to PlasticsEurope's president Patrick Thomas / Fracking is an important energy source / Industry needs leadership and brokerage from Brussels / TTIP likely to bring gas prices down

PlasticsEurope calls France's report on alternatives to bisphenol A in food packaging “unrealistic simplification” / French parliament set to vote on ban from 1 January 2015

Follow-up: European Bioplastics and Assobioplastiche welcome European Council's amendment to Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive

EU guideline calls for gradual reduction in consumption up to 2025 / EuPC highlights problems from internal market perspective, warns of job losses / PlasticsEurope fears trade barriers, calls for regulation of “oxo-degradable” plastics

PlasticsEurope conference highlights petchems producers' negative outlook for future of European manufacturing / Producers call for more support from Brussels / Authorities highlight benefits of circular economy

PlasticsEurope and EuPC launch “Manifesto on the competitiveness of the plastics industry in Europe” / Identify challenges to European industry and issue recommendations / "PolyTalk" event in Brussels

PlasticsEurope sums up recent conference on “Science Driving Consumer Protection: How Plastics Deliver”

Founding members of Plastics 2020 Challenge adopt framework programme / Join "Pledge4Plastics" to raise awareness and lift UK rates

Pledge 4 Plastics campaign underway across the UK / Goal to raise collection of plastic packaging among households / Global companies partner with authorities and lend support

Fourth “PolyTalk” industry summit to be held in Brussels in November

PlasticsEurope conference on “Science Driving Consumer Protection: How Plastics Deliver” to be held in Berlin in October

European Commission adopts new waste proposals / Landfill of recyclable waste to be banned by 2025 / 80% packaging waste recycling target set for 2030 / Mixed response by European plastics associations

Plastics sector still in crisis mood / Consumption of all polymers declines in 2013

Global plastics associations issue latest progress report on initiative against marine litter / More than 185 projects to date

Cefic's petchems segment APPE has a new name

Production volumes recover in 2013 / Automotive, building and foreign trade drive sales / PlasticsEurope Deutschland president sees dark clouds

Plastics output expected flat in 2014, says PlasticsEurope / Output declined 0.9% in 2013

Italy collects and reuses more packaging in 2013 / Less waste to landfill

Conference on “Opportunities for the Polish Plastics Industry” to be held in Warsaw on 22 May